about 1 month ago
It’s normal to feel nervous before any interview and, as well as answering questions, preparing the right questions to ask the interviewer can make a difference as to whether you land that job offer or not.
So what sort of questions could you, and should you, ask?
No matter how many interviews you have been on before, it’s normal to feel nervous before meeting a prospective new employer. Doing your research on the company and preparing for likely questions goes a long way to being interview-ready, but it’s only part of the picture: the interview is a two-way street after all, so it’s not just the interviewer who gets to do the asking!
But did you know that hiring managers can make decisions based on the questions a candidate asks and, where there’s hardly anything to separate two people, it can make the difference between getting the offer or not?
So what sort of questions could you, and should you, ask?
It’s your opportunity to find out more about the role, the organisation – including its culture and the team - along with any growth opportunities as well as the expectations of the hiring manager.
DO:
Focus on -
· The environment
· The opportunity
DON’T:
· Lead with benefits
· Holiday allowance
· Salary etc.
As a general rule of thumb:
· Ask questions that demonstrate that you’ve done your research into the company – if you’ve learned anything new during the interview, you can incorporate it at this stage
· Questions should show your genuine interest in the company and that you are serious about finding the right role for you
· The way you phrase the question can make all the difference – if you get a chance to make it more personal, you should
e.g. so instead of asking : “What sort of opportunities do you offer to ensure your staff stay with you?”, ask this instead: “I notice from LinkedIn that you’ve worked at company X for Y years, you must really enjoy it. So, what has made you want to stay?”
This then opens the question up for the interview to expand on the culture and benefits via a more subtle route.
Here are 3 of our favourite questions to ask that reflect what’s important to you and your communication style:
o What do you like about working at the company? (You have a genuine interest in understanding the culture and determining the fit for you)
o What sort of person are you looking for to fit the team? (You are a team player and understand the team dynamic is so important )
o Is there anything else that I’ve not covered or anything else that you’d like me to expand on? (You communicate well and are happy to clarify points)
Take these tips on board and you should have some strong questions to ask at any interview. Good luck!
For more on our current opportunities, head over to our jobs page. We’re here to help!